Why we are after Ayo Oke, Ekpenyong – EFCC

Gets warrants to arrest ex-intelligence chiefs
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it had obtained two separate warrants from a court to arrest a former director-general of Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Ita Ekpenyong, and an ex-boss of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr. Ayo Oke.

The commission also secured the nod of the court to search the residences of the two former intelligence officials.

It was gathered that for the first time, the EFCC disclosed to the court that its move to arrest Ekpenyong and Oke was over alleged theft and diversion of public funds. In its application for warrant of arrest, EFCC said the two defendants were invited but failed to honour the invitation.

A source in the commission said: “We have valid warrants of search and arrest from a court of competent jurisdiction; this is why we intend to go ahead. We will soon release the details of all the allegations in the reports referred to us by the presidency.

“The reports emanated from the investigation conducted by two presidential investigative committees set up by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We need to put the issues in correct perspective. The president raised an investigative committee over $2.1billion arms procurement which was headed by AVM Jon Ode. Another investigative committee was led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the $43.4million recovered from a flat at Osborne Towers.

“After perusing the reports, the presidency mandated the EFCC to do follow-up investigations based on the findings of the two committees. It is not as if the EFCC is going outside the mandate from the presidency.”

But it was learnt that the DSS, some top government officials and members of the kitchen cabinet of the President were opposed to the arrest of the two former intelligence chiefs. It was also gathered that some members of the diplomatic community are worried over the fate of Oke who is well respected in intelligence circles in the Western world.

The Guardian gathered that both the search and arrest warrants were signed by a chief magistrate II in the Federal Capital Territory.

In the search warrant, the court said based upon information on oath and in writing, there was reasonable ground for EFCC officials to enter the residences of Ekpenyong and Oke.

“You are hereby commanded by this state with proper assistance to enter the above named residence and premises and therefore diligently search for the things aforesaid, and if the same or any part thereof are found to bring the things so found and also the said person before this court to be dealt with according to law.

“This warrant shall be executed between the hours of five o’ clock and eight o’clock at night and may also be executed at any hour during the day or night,” the court added.